Daniel Zeichner has welcomed Labour’s Plan for Nature as a powerful response to the climate and biodiversity emergency.  The plan, announced by Jeremy Corbyn in Southampton today, will set legally binding targets to drive the restoration of species and habitats and includes ambitious targets to plant two billion forestry and native woodland trees by 2040.

Speaking from the campaign trail, Mr Zeichner said:

“We need to move urgently to deal with the environmental crisis facing us, and only Labour has the energy and vision to take decisive action before it is too late. Our Climate and Environment Emergency Bill will put these measures into law and deliver real change.

“Trees are incredibly important in cities like Cambridge, where they reduce heat through evaporation, transpiration and shading, reduce storm water run-off by intercepting and absorbing water, and enhance air quality by reducing gaseous pollutants and particulates. Planting trees is also one of the most effective measures we can take to reduce carbon in the atmosphere.

“The promises in our manifesto build on what Labour councils have been doing already. Here in Cambridge we have the Tree Canopy Project, a four year project part funded by the EU which will help increase tree canopy cover from 17% to 19% by 2050, or around 16,000 new trees.

“On Friday the Cambridge Schools Eco Council is leading a school strike for climate action. We have listened to these young people and share their concerns. Labour will kick start a Green Industrial Revolution to deliver a zero carbon economy, provide a million green jobs, and protect future generations.”

Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces said:

“A tree planting project helps bring communities together as they plan for the improvements and participate in the planting and maintenance.

“However, for far too long progressive councils have been unable to take action on climate change and species loss because the Tories and Lib Dems have passed laws and regulations that create a ‘green ceiling’ limiting what we can do. A Labour government will give us the ability to make real change at the local level, supporting Labour’s plan for action while being responsive to local needs.”